“It’s the preference of the people…”
In 1860 it was the preference of The South to leave the United States.
How did that work out for them?
L
That was a civil war, not a proxy war.
The preference of the people AND the RF armed forces, as I said....
While the Southern states had a right to secede, they didn’t have the power to maintain their independence against the more populous, industrial North. So, I think we agree that, in the absence of agreement, issues like this are often ultimately settled by force of arms.
Here’s a prediction (not an argument): 1. The accession of the 4 oblasts will result in a commitment of RF forces that will bring the RF and allied forces to at least rough numerical parity with the AFU. 2. Having used rules of engagement to liberate/capture the 4 oblasts with a minimum of civilian and infrastructure losses, the RF will start hitting most Ukrainian infrastructure to the west much harder (Russian speaking and ethnic Russian areas like Odessa and Kharkov may be exceptions) . 3. There will be one or more major offensives by the RF over the next few months. 4. The RF will largely succeed in its offensive(s) because the AFU has lost massive numbers of its trained soldiers and the AFU is running out of armor, artillery, and ammunition. 5. The main additional territory the RF will decide to hold will be to the southwest towards Odessa and Transnistria and areas east of the Dnieper. 6. Before any of the foregoing happen in earnest, it’s likely the RF will propose a settlement and that the Zelensky regime, pushed by the US/UK especially, will reject it.
Remember, these are just predictions. If within six months or so they mostly turn out to be far wide of the mark (close should count for me, though ;-), feel free to give me a Bronx Cheer.